Invasive Species and Birds in Fiji

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which bird is known as the Indian mynah?

Red avadavat

Common myna (correct)

Java sparrow

Jungle mynah

What is the primary reason that trees are important for the environment?

They grow quickly and provide shade

They produce fossil fuels

They attract insects

They make oxygen and absorb pollution (correct)

Which of these birds belongs to the family Estrildidae?

Red avadavat (correct)

Jungle mynah

Common myna

House sparrow

What effect do trees have on soil erosion?

They prevent soil erosion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a reason for introducing species to Fiji?

To enhance local ecosystems Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an exotic plant that has displaced indigenous plants?

Mahogany Signup and view all the answers

Which bird is a member of the starling family?

Common myna Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to conserve plants?

To maintain oxygen production and provide resources Signup and view all the answers

What effect have introduced species like the American iguana had on crops?

They have caused significant harm to crops. Signup and view all the answers

Which species have been introduced to control weeds but have harmed other aquatic organisms?

Tilapia and Carp Signup and view all the answers

What is the scientific name for the Java sparrow?

Lonchura oryzivora Signup and view all the answers

Which indigenous plant is mentioned as being endangered due to exotic species competition?

Vesi Signup and view all the answers

What impact have Mynah birds had on agricultural crops?

They harvest seeds and reduce yield. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of Mongooses in the environment where they were introduced?

To control snake populations Signup and view all the answers

Which bird species is endemic to the islands of Kadavu and Ono in Fiji?

Crimson shining parrot Signup and view all the answers

Which bird is commonly referred to simply as the 'pigeon'?

Rock dove Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary raw material used to produce 1000 litres of fuel at the Koro bio-diesel plant?

Dried copra Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sources is classified as a non-renewable energy source?

Crude oil Signup and view all the answers

What process is used to retrieve crude oil from the Earth?

Drilling and pumping Signup and view all the answers

Which type of gas is most commonly used for home heating and gas ovens?

Natural gases Signup and view all the answers

What is the main use of coal?

Home heating and power plants Signup and view all the answers

Why are vegetable oils preferred for biodiesel production?

They do not have a bad odor Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following materials is considered too expensive for homemade biodiesel?

Virgin oils Signup and view all the answers

What can be produced from wood that is relevant to bio-fuel production?

Methanol Signup and view all the answers

What is the average rainfall in the Windward sides?

165 to 185 cm Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes sea breezes during the day?

Differences in temperatures between land and sea Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the night regarding land and sea temperatures?

The land loses heat faster than the sea Signup and view all the answers

What type of tide occurs when the sun, moon, and Earth are in a straight line?

Spring tides Signup and view all the answers

What effect can occur if Spring tides coincide with hurricanes?

Havoc and flooding Signup and view all the answers

What type of breeze may generate showers and thunderstorms on unstable days?

Sea breeze Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Windward sides?

High temperatures Signup and view all the answers

What primarily influences the tides?

The sun and moon Signup and view all the answers

What are spring tides also known as?

King tides Signup and view all the answers

How often do high and low tides occur due to the Moon's gravitational pull?

Every 12 hours Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main causes of sea level rise mentioned?

Spring tides Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the water level when the Moon pulls on the ocean?

A bulge in the water level occurs Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of climate change mentioned in the content?

Food security issues Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about high tides when the Sun and Moon are aligned?

They are the highest tides Signup and view all the answers

What is an effective solution to combat the impact of sea-level rise mentioned?

Planting trees and mangroves Signup and view all the answers

What causes two bulges in the ocean's water level?

The gravitational pull from both the Sun and the Moon Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduced & Invasive Species

Pine trees, Eucalyptus, Mahogany, African tulips, and water Hyacinth are invasive species that have displaced indigenous plants.
Indigenous plants such as Vesi, Kauvula, and Damanu are endangered due to invasive species competing for resources.
Overharvesting of native trees and plants is also contributing to their decline.
American Iguanas have damaged crops and vegetation on Taveuni Island.
Mynah birds have reduced crop yields by consuming seeds of beans, corn, and other vegetables.
Mongooses were introduced to control snakes but now prey on native bird species, contributing to their endangerment.
Tilapia and carp were introduced to control weeds but have become overpopulated and threaten other aquatic organisms.
Tilapia and carp are harvested for their protein content.

Birds in Fiji

Turkeys are large pheasants with a distinctive fleshy wattle called a snood.
The rock dove (Columba livia), or rock pigeon, is a common bird often simply referred to as "pigeon."
The Spotted Dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is a small, long-tailed pigeon native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
The crimson shining parrot (Prosopeia splendens) is endemic to the islands of Kadavu and Ono in the Kadavu Group.
The red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer) is a member of the bulbul family and is found across the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Burma, and parts of Tibet.
The jungle mynah (Acridotheres fuscus) is a member of the starling family.
The common myna (Acridotheres tristis) is native to Asia.
The red avadavat, red munia, or strawberry finch (Amandava amandava) is a sparrow-sized bird.
The Java sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora) is a small passerine bird.
The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is found in most parts of the world.

Plants and Conservation

Plants are valuable resources for humans, animals, and the environment.
Plants provide shelter, food, and oxygen.
To ensure sustainable use of plants, good conservation methods are necessary.
Coconut trees are an example of a useful plant resource.
Trees absorb pollutants from the air, generate oxygen, prevent soil erosion, and create food.

Biofuel:

Biodiesel can be produced using 1.5 tonnes of dried copra, yielding 1000 liters of fuel.
The Koro bio-diesel plant utilizes copra for fuel production.
Virgin coconut oil is an alternative for bio-fuel production in Fiji.

Non-renewable Energy Sources:

Non-renewable energy sources are finite and take millions of years to form.
Crude oil is a non-renewable resource extracted from the Earth's crust.
Crude oil is used to produce plastics, artificial food flavorings, petrol, diesel, and other products.
Natural gas is another non-renewable resource, primarily used for heating and cooking.
Coal is a solid fossil fuel obtained through mining.
China is the world's largest coal producer.

Local Materials for Biofuel:

Vegetable oils are the most common raw materials for biodiesel production due to their ease of use.
Virgin oils are more expensive but preferable for commercial plants due to their ease of processing.
Other sources of biofuel include pig waste, sewer gas, biomass gasification, and wood dust.
Methanol can be produced from wood.

Windward Sides

The Windward sides of Fiji receive an average rainfall of 165 to 185 cm.
Areas on the Windward side experience cloudy skies, frequent rains, even temperatures, and moderate sunshine.
Suva and Savusavu are examples of areas on the Windward side that have wet seasons.

Sea Breeze (Day Breeze):

During the day, land heats up faster than the sea, causing air above the land to rise.
Cooler air from the sea replaces the rising air, creating a sea breeze.
Sea breezes can travel inland, acting as a small cold front.
Unstable days can lead to showers and thunderstorms caused by sea breezes.

Land Breeze (Night Breeze) :

At night, the land cools faster than the sea, creating a higher air pressure over the land.
Warmer air from the sea rises, creating a land breeze.

Tides:

Tides are the alternate rising and falling of the sea.
The moon and sun cause tides.
Spring and Neap tides are types of tides influenced by the moon's position.

Spring Tides

Occur when the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned.
Have a larger tidal range than Neap tides.
The gravitational pull of the moon and sun are in the same direction, resulting in higher high tides and lower low tides.
Occur during full moon and new moon phases.
Can cause flooding, damage to coastal areas, and disruptions to infrastructure.
Also known as King tides and are contributing to sea-level rise in the Kiribati Islands, Yasawa Islands, Vanua Levu, Viti Levu, and the South Pacific.

Neap Tides:

Occur when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other.
Have a smaller tidal range than Spring tides.

Moon's Influence on Tides:

The moon's gravitational pull is the primary cause of tides.
The bulge on Earth's ocean surface created by the moon's pull results in high tides.
As Earth rotates, these bulges move, creating two high tides and two low tides each day.
Spring tides, the highest tides, occur when the sun, moon, and Earth are aligned.
Neap tides, the lowest tides, occur when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the impact of introduced and invasive species on indigenous flora and fauna in Fiji. This quiz covers various species, including the American Iguana and Mynah birds, and their influence on crop yields and native plants. Test your knowledge on the ecological balance and challenges faced by Fijian ecosystems.